West Chester is a borough in Chester county, Pennsylvania. It is situated on the Brandywine and Chester creek watershed areas. In 1985, the West Chester Downtown Historic District was listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Battle of Brandywine was fought in among the houses in 1777. One of the houses, dating back to 1704 has been restored and opened to the public. The country's only helicopter museum is situated in the borough. The University campus and government account for much of the current economic activity.
The American Helicopter Museum and Educational Center
The American Helicopter Museum and Educational Center is a tribute to those who pioneered rotary wing aircraft and seeks to encourage those who will do so in the future. It is the only helicopter museum in the USA and attracts around 35000 visitors annually for a hands-on, climb aboard experience. There are ongoing drives to fund improvements such as the Adopt-a-Copter campaign. Once a month, helicopter rides are offered and Fathers' Day and Santa Fest are celebrated annually.
An interactive helicopter can be hired to travel to schools and events for a day. The shop at the museum sells pilot plushies and art prints.
1220 American Boulevard, West Chester, PA 19380, Phone: 610-436-9600
Stroud Preserve
The Stroud Preserve encourages open air activities. It is 571 acres of grasslands, farmlands and woodlands which brings together people and nature. Part of the preserve was donated by Dr Morris Stroud as a study site for water research. It demonstrates the balance between conserving natural habitats and protecting a watershed that provides drinking water for thousands of people. There are hiking trails laid out and kayaking and canoeing are allowed in the rivers. Regular outdoor events are held, such as evening music concerts, butterfly walks and a family splish-splash. The preserve is open from sunrise to sunset all year round.
1031 Palmers Mill Road, Media, PA 19063, Phone: 610-353-5587
Sandy Hollow Heritage Park
Sandy Hollow Heritage Park marks the spot where, during the Revolutionary War, on 11 September 1777, the Battle of Brandywine was fought. It is a place intended for quiet reflection and passive recreation. On the one mile long pedestrian path, there is a board commemorating those who fell on both sides of the conflict. There were substantial casualties on the day and many were buried where they fell. British and American soldiers are buried in a common grave in the nearby Birmingham Burying Grounds. Although General Washington was defeated on the day, it deepened the resolve to fight on.
Sandy Hollow Heritage Park, 1040 West Street Road, West Chester, PA 19382-8012, Phone: 610-793-2600
William Brinton 1704 House
William Brinton was born in Britain and built his two story, stone home in the style of medieval England. It is a Quaker home and an excellent example of early Delaware Valley houses. The walls are 22 inches thick and the steep roof is supported by chimneys at each end. It was built in 1704 and was one of 14 houses in the battlefield area of the 1777 Battle of Brandywine. It changed hands several times and was finally repurchased by Brinton decendants in 1947 and donated to the West Chester Historical Society. It is open for tours on weekend afternoons from May to October.
William Brinton 1704 House, 21 Oakland Road, West Chester, PA 19382, Phone: 610-399-0913
Chester County History Center Museum
The Chester County History Center was established by the community back in 1893. At first the center was dedicated to locating and preserving just about anything related to West Chester history and this collection formed the core of the museum when it eventually opened in the historic Horticultural Hall in 1942. The collection includes hundreds of documents and artifacts which tell the story of all historic aspects of life in the south east of Pennsylvania. Today the Chester County History Center Museum boasts both permanent and changing exhibits aimed at educating visitors about how history has impacted our modern lives. The museum is open to the public from Tuesday to Saturday from 9.30am to 4.30pm.
Chester County History Center Museum, 225 N. High Street, West Chester, PA 19380, 610 692 4800
High Street Caffe
Donny Syracuse and Jay Wenner, a musician and a chef, established the High Street Caffe in 1996. The restaurant specializes in Cajun and Creole cuisine as well as exotic dishes, such as wild boar, kangaroo, ostrich and alligator. There are 20 appetizers and 30 entrees on the menu. Wine, beer and cocktails are served from the bar. High Street Caffe is a popular venue and has won numerous awards. Booking is advised on weekends. Take-out is also an option. The restaurant is open 7 days a week.
West Chester, PA 19382, Reservations, Phone: 610-696-7435
Four Dogs Tavern
Four Dogs Tavern is situated in the former stables of the Marshalton Inn, an historic building on the Strasburg Road which was the main road between Pittsburg and Philadelphia. The tavern's name is taken from a painting by Frenchman, Godefroy Jadin. Co-owner and chef, David Cox had an illustrious track record before returning to his home town to open an American brasserie. Fresh, locally sourced ingredients are made into haute cuisine. There are indoor and outdoor dining areas and live music from Thursday to Sunday. The tavern is open 7 days a week.
1300 W Strasburg Rd,West Chester, PA 19382, Phone: 610-692-4367
Penn's Table Restaurant
Penn's Table Restaurant has been in business since 1976. It has changed hands twice since then but the welcoming atmosphere and good American food remain the same. It is open 7 days a week and breakfast is served all day. The restaurant offers catering services for a range of functions. Online ordering is possible for a pick up time determined by the customer
100 W Gay St, West Chester,PA 19380, Phone: 610-696-0677
Mather Planetarium
Operated by the Department of Earth and Space Science, the Mather Planetarium forms part of the West Chester University. The original planetarium was built in 1969, but received a major upgrade in 2013, due to a generous donation from Dr. Sandra Mather. Today’s planetarium is a state-of-the-art modern facility which boasts a 32ft nanoseam dome and an amazing digital projector. The facility is mainly used for educational purposes for university and school groups, but it also hosts public astronomy programs. The public is invited to attend public programs on Friday evenings during the academic year. These take the form of live shows (once a month) and pre-recorded movie shows.
Mather Planetarium, 700 S. High Street, West Chester, PA 19383, 610 436 1000
Uptown! Knauer Performing Arts Center
Uptown! Knauer Performing Arts Center is located in the heart of downtown West Chester, where it takes delight in bringing the joy of live performance art to the city. The theatre has no fewer than 8 resident performing arts companies who stage their performances across three separate performance venues. The main home of the center is located in what was once an armory building, which was extensively renovated and restored in 2015. The centre produces a full calendar of shows in just about all genres including music performances, live shows, comedy, film, dance and more. You can check what’s on and book tickets on their website.
Uptown! Knauer Performing Arts Center, 226 N. High St, West Chester, PA 19380, 610 356 2787
Chester County Art Association
The Chester County Art Associationhas a long history of serving the West Chester community. It was originally formed in 1931 by prominent artists and community leaders who got together each week and staged regular art exhibitions. In 1953 the association received a generous donation which enabled them to set up a permanent home. The West Chester Galleries comprise 2 exhibition spaces which are used to display the work of local artists for 9 months of the year and are used for teaching purposes and summer camps for 3 months each year. Visitors are invited to stop by and feast their eyes on the beautiful artworks on display.
Chester County Art Association, 100 N. Bradford Ave, West Chester, PA 19382, 610 696 5600
Treehouse World Adventure Park
Treehouse World Adventure Park is located just outside West Chester, where it provides a fun-filled outdoor family adventure park. The park is home to an extensive ropes course which is punctuated by a series of beautifully-constructed and imaginative tree houses for climbers to explore. The Gingerbread Treehouse is perfect for birthday parties and has tables and stools for up to 14 children. Besides exploring the ropes course, children can have fun trying out all the other activities which include 3 different zip lines, axe throwing, and Euro Bungy Trampoline. Younger children will enjoy the Pirate Cove and the Small Animal Petting Zoo.
Treehouse World Adventure Park, 1442 Phoenixville Pike, West Chester, PA 19380, 484 329 7853
